FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE FARE INCREASE

FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE FARE INCREASE FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE FARE INCREASE

TELL THE DOT AND YOUR LAWMAKERS HOW YOU FEEL
(Scroll down for info on how to e-mail your views on this fare increase)

The CT Rail Commuter Council has voted to oppose the latest proposed fare increase on Metro-North. Further, we want to help you tell your lawmakers that the way we pay for mass transit in this state needs an overhaul.

Public hearings on this proposed August fare increase are set for:

Wednesday June 2^nd 8pm

Town Hall

2 Renshaw Rd

DARIEN

Thursday June 3^rd 8pm

Roger Ludlow Middle School

785 Unquowa Rd

FAIRFIELD

Saturday June 12^th 9am

Stamford Govt Ctr (4^th Floor)

888 Washington Blvd

STAMFORD

If you cannot testify in person, written testimony may be sent to:

Mr. Harry Harris, Bureau Chief

Connecticut Dept of Transportation

PO Box 317546

Newington CT 06131-7546

Please turn out and join us in opposing this fare boost, the third in as many years.

In Connecticut, all mass transit is paid for out of a special Transportation Fund which is filled with money from motor vehicle registrations, traffic fines, gasoline taxes, etc. The less money from those sources (for ex. as the gas tax is cut), the less subsidy for mass transit... and the higher the fares.

Higher fares mean fewer riders... and more people commuting instead by car. So, in effect, the way we allocate our State budget is creating more problems than it solves.

The State has also mandated a 5% decrease in highway traffic over the next five years -- without providing the funding needed to help public transportation tackle this demand to cut traffic and air pollution. Too much of the burden of creating these benefits -- which serve the entire State -- is being placed on commuters.

Did you know that...

Riders on Metro-North in CT have a 73% "farebox return" vs. only 55% for LIRR riders and 30% for CT Transit (bus) passengers? That means that Metro-North riders pay more of the actual cost of their rides than any other commuters in the US, if not the world!

Metro-North riders have had 4.5% fare increases in four of the last five years... with predictions of further boosts to come unless funding sources are changed?

Our aging fleet of rail cars will have to be replaced in coming years and track and catenary (over-head electric wires) must be rebuilt... costing hundreds of millions of dollars just to maintain, not improve, rail service in CT?

Enough is enough. Commuters cannot bear the burden of further fare increases. The Legislature must find a better way to fund this and other mass transit.

What can you do to fight back?

CLICK HERE to send an e-mail to the ranking members of the CT Legislature's Transportation Committee. Tell them "enough is enough", that you oppose this call for another fare increase on Metro-North and that a different funding system must be found.

CLICK HERE to read what other commuters have written to their lawmakers.

Then, CLICK HERE to find your local State Senator and State Representative, and tell them the same thing. Remind them that your ability to pay state income taxes depends on your ability to get to/from work at an affordable cost.

To help us spread the word, CLICK HERE for our latest flyer. Print it, post it, pass it out to fellow riders and forward it by e-mail to your colleagues. The Commuter Council has no budget so we're counting on your help (and your employer's xerox <G>) to help spread the word.

Finally, CLICK HERE to join the CT Rail Commuter Council's E-Mail Alert Service. We promise to keep you posted on this fare increase proposal... on upcoming public hearings where you can speak out in person.

Bookmark this page for further updates. Thanks for your support!